Kenosha County, WI – A Kenosha County woman has been charged in the 2022 death of her 6-year-old daughter after investigators reopened the case and allegedly uncovered significant new information.
According to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and detectives responded April 20, 2022, to a home in the 600 block of 15th Place for a report of an unresponsive child. Layla Stahl, 6, was found dead in her bedroom. Investigators said no obvious signs of trauma or foul play were observed during the initial investigation, and the Kenosha County Medical Examiner’s Office, with help from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office, ruled the cause and manner of death undetermined.
Authorities said the case was revisited in early 2026 after detectives repeatedly reviewed evidence, re-interviewed witnesses and pursued additional investigative leads. The renewed investigation allegedly led to new details about the circumstances surrounding Layla’s death.
Sheriff’s officials said detectives conducted a lengthy interview March 12, 2026, with Layla’s mother, Christina L. Torchia, 33, and allegedly found numerous inconsistencies in her statements that were contradicted by evidence.
Following consultation with the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office and Medical Examiner Patrice Hall, investigators obtained a court order to amend the manner of death, officials said. A Kenosha County judge approved the request, officially changing Layla’s manner of death to homicide.
Torchia has now been formally charged with first-degree intentional homicide.
The sheriff’s office said Torchia had already been the subject of a separate 2024 investigation in which she allegedly attempted to solicit the homicide of another person. She later pleaded guilty to solicitation of first-degree intentional homicide and received the maximum sentence in that case.
Sheriff David Zoerner said investigators never stopped pursuing justice for Layla and vowed to continue moving the case forward on her behalf.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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